No. 17 Kentucky found itself in a tough battle with Vanderbilt at halftime, leading by just one point, 41-40. However, the Wildcats turned things around in the second half, dominating the final 20 minutes with a 41-21 scoring run to secure an easy 82-61 win.
Kentucky’s offense was led by a balanced attack, with four players reaching double digits. Otega Oweh was the standout, putting up a game-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 1-of-2 from three-point range. He was also perfect from the free-throw line, going 5-for-5, while contributing seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal in 31 minutes.
Amari Williams had a flawless performance, scoring 17 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. The big man also pulled down six rebounds and blocked four shots in just 27 minutes, making a significant impact on both ends of the floor.
- Otega Oweh
Koby Brea helped stretch the floor, knocking down three of four three-pointers for 12 points, and added three assists and one rebound in 31 minutes. His shooting helped Kentucky pull away in the second half.
Andrew Carr added 11 points, going 5-of-8 from the field, including a three-pointer. He also contributed two rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal. Carr’s all-around play helped strengthen Kentucky’s lead as the game progressed. One of the night’s biggest surprises was freshman Collin Chandler, who had a breakout game with a career-high seven points.
Chandler shot 2-of-5 from the field, including 1-of-4 from three, and went 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed six rebounds, dished out two assists, and recorded two steals, providing a much-needed spark off the bench.
After struggling to put Vanderbilt away in the first half, Kentucky’s defensive improvement and efficient scoring in the second half allowed them to pull away. This win not only gives Kentucky another crucial SEC victory but also strengthens their position in the conference standings. If the Wildcats continue to play with the same intensity and efficiency moving forward, they will remain a serious contender for the remainder of the season.
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